Who might find these choices relevant?

Office worker comparing sugar content

You’re looking for a crunchy base for your lunch and want to know how much sugar different types of toast contain. Compare the figures per 100 g and distinguish between total and added sugars.

Lunch eater keeping an eye on fibre

You want to take fibre content into account when choosing toast. Check it alongside sugar and salt, as a wholemeal or multigrain name doesn’t tell you how the nutritional values compare with another variety.

Lunch planner checking allergens and salt

You’re buying toast for yourself or for a shared office cupboard. In that case, the ingredients, allergen information and salt content of the current product are important when making your choice.

What should you look for when choosing?

Start by comparing the nutritional values of similar toast per 100 g; according to the Voedingscentrum, manufacturers can decide for themselves what size portion to use. Then consider your actual portion, what you’ll put on it and, where necessary, the allergen information on the packaging.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Comparing sugars Compare total sugars per 100 g in similar types of toast. Check the ingredients list separately if you want to assess added sugar. I want to know how much sugar my toast contains, rather than relying on wording on the packaging. For around 33% of consumers, comparing sugar content comes first.
Fibre Check the fibre content per 100 g and, for a wholemeal variety, check the ingredients list. If toast is the basis of my lunch, I want to weigh up the fibre content of different varieties. Around 25% of consumers focus on this first.
Salt, portion and toppings Compare salt per 100 g. Then consider how much toast you eat and assess your toppings separately for sugars, salt and saturated fat. I take several pieces of toast with me and also want to know what the toppings add to my lunch. Salt and the actual portion size matter most to around 25% of consumers.
Allergens Check the ingredients and any warnings about possible cross-contamination on the current pack. For a shared office supply, I need to know whether colleagues should be aware of any ingredients in the toast. Checking allergens is a priority for around 17% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Reading ‘no added sugars’ as ‘sugar-free’

    These are different figures. Albert Heijn lists 0 g of added sugars for AH Melba toast naturel, but also 3.2 g of total sugars per 100 g.

    Compare the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g, and check the ingredients list if added sugar is a separate consideration for you.

  • Assuming wholemeal or multigrain means less sugar

    The Van der Meulen wholemeal variety listed by Albert Heijn and the multigrain variety listed by Jumbo both contain 3.2 g of sugars per 100 g, according to their respective product listings. Their fibre and salt content does differ.

    Check sugars, fibre and salt separately, even when a product is called wholemeal or multigrain.

  • Comparing the toast but not the toppings

    What you put on your toast also affects the nutritional content of your lunch. The Voedingscentrum points out that toppings can contain sugar, salt or saturated fat.

    Consider toast and toppings as two separate product choices and, where needed, compare the nutritional information for the toppings too.

  • Relying only on an online product page for allergen information

    Albert Heijn warns that product ingredients and allergen information can change. This is especially relevant when the toast is for several colleagues.

    Before serving, check the allergen information and any warnings on the current packaging.

Brands compared

Bolletje

Bolletje Echte Beschuit is an alternative to melba toast if you’re looking for a larger, round base for toppings. Beschuit and melba toast are different products, so compare their labels before comparing their nutritional values.

  • The ingredients list for Echte Beschuit is available so you can check the composition of this specific product.
  • According to Bolletje, Echte Beschuit contains sugar and glucose syrup, among other ingredients. The allergen information lists wheat, rye and egg; the product may also contain barley, oats and sesame.

Albert Heijn

AH Melba toast naturel is an own-brand option for which Albert Heijn lists nutritional values per 100 g.

  • Albert Heijn lists 0 g of added sugars, 3.2 g of total sugars and 3.9 g of fibre per 100 g for AH Melba toast naturel.
  • Albert Heijn also lists 1.93 g of salt per 100 g and relevant allergens. The company recommends checking the packaging, as product information can change.

Van der Meulen

The melba toast range includes wholemeal and multigrain varieties, so you can compare fibre and salt per variety as well as sugars.

  • Albert Heijn lists 9.7 g of fibre per 100 g for the wholemeal variety. Jumbo lists 7.5 g of fibre per 100 g for the multigrain variety.
  • Both product listings state 3.2 g of sugars per 100 g. Albert Heijn lists 1.9 g of salt per 100 g for the wholemeal variety; Jumbo lists 1.5 g for the multigrain variety. Check the allergens on the pack for each variety too.

Toast-related products at Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Does 0 g of added sugars mean that toast contains no sugars?

No. Added sugars and total sugars are different figures. Albert Heijn lists 0 g of added sugars and 3.2 g of total sugars per 100 g for AH Melba toast naturel. To compare products, check the ‘of which sugars’ figure and look at the ingredients list separately.

Should I compare toast per portion or per 100 g?

First compare similar types of toast per 100 g, then consider how much you’ll actually take with you. The Voedingscentrum notes that manufacturers decide for themselves how large a stated portion is.

Does wholemeal or multigrain melba toast contain less sugar?

Not necessarily. Albert Heijn lists 3.2 g of sugars per 100 g for both AH Melba toast naturel and Van der Meulen Melba toast volkoren; Jumbo lists the same figure for Van der Meulen Melba meergranen. Their fibre and salt content differs, so compare those separately.

How do I check allergens in toast for a shared office supply?

Before sharing toast, check the allergen information and any warnings on the current packaging. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority states that allergens present as ingredients must be clearly listed. Depending on the variety, relevant allergens in the products discussed include cereals containing gluten, soya, sesame and egg.

Does toast automatically contain iodine because it contains baker’s salt?

No, you can’t tell from the product category or the stated salt content. According to the Voedingscentrum, bakers aren’t required to use iodised baker’s salt. For a specific type of toast, check the ingredients list or ask the manufacturer which salt was used.